Forestry leaders from across the Pacific Islands for a workshop at UHM’s East-West Center co-hosted by the Pacific Islands Forestry Committee (PIFC) and the USDA Forest Service. CTAHR faculty and staff gave a number of workshops and talks on topics relevant to resource management and forest health here in Hawai‘i and throughout the rest of the Pacific.
Noa Lincoln (TPSS, pictured) demonstrated breadfruit culture; Clay Trauernicht and Melissa Kunz (both NREM) presented updates on wildfire management; Janice Uchida, Chris Kadooka, and Anne Alvarez (all PEPS) demonstrated new research into plant pathogens such as Austropuccina rust; Zhiqiang Cheng and Tomie Vowell (both PEPS) gave updates on control methods for the coconut rhinoceros beetle; Charlie Nagamine (PEPS) taught a refresher on pesticide safety; Ambyr Mokiao-Lee (PEPS) presented an update on Rapid ‘Ohi‘a Death, and J.B. Friday (NREM) discussed effective forestry Extension programs.
Seventy-two participants from Hawai‘i and the American-affiliated Pacific Islands, including American Samoa, the Marshall Islands, Kosrae, Pohnpei, Yap, Palau, and Guam, attended the educational conference. Participants went home with new knowledge about how to address issues at home and new and renewed connections across the Pacific.